FTA:"I think the intent is that the Republican Party is opposed to the values clarification method that serves the purpose of challenging students beliefs and undermine parental authority," he said.

Of course, there's no mention of the "values clarification method," which was apparently introduced in the 1960s and out-of-vogue even by the late 1980s. Instead, the platform language refers to critical thinking, Higher Order Thinking Skills, and Outcome-Based Education. So, even given what the spokescritter says, it implies that the GOP is actually opposed to anything that goes to "challenging the student's fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority". Furthermore, it suggests that they're not interested in whether that is the intent for introducing it, but merely whether it can "serve the purpose" -- language even worse than the original. And, as it happens: Yes, one inherent hazard is that critical thinking can challenge a student's "fixed beliefs". Such challenge has little effect when the beliefs have a solid foundation; it's only when the fixed belief is such absolute bullshiat that it can't have a solid foundation that there's going to be an impact. Similarly, it can challenge parental authority if the parent is using that authority to sign off on "the sky is green" bullshiat. (Well, except in a few places near the leakier petroleum refineries.)

However, that's only a problem if you value "authority" over "truth".Oh, wait.... this is the Texas GOP!

If it wasn't an accident, it's certainly a big change from the 2010 platform..

2010:Knowledge-Based Education - The primary purpose of public schools is to teach critical thinking skills, reading, writing, arithmetic, phonics, history, science, and character as well as knowledge-based education, not job training. We support knowledge-based curriculum standards and tests. We support successful career and technology programs, but oppose mandatory career training. We oppose Outcome-Based Education (OBE) and similar programs. Further, because of an aging U.S. population and global competition, and because much of today's education teaches children to be employees or perhaps at best managers for employers, we encourage the teaching of entrepreneurial skills and investment skills.

2012Knowledge-Based Education - We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student's fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.

On Homosexuality:We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country's founders, and shared by the majority of Texans.

God???? The last time I checked this wasn't a theocracy assholes. Also I don't recall anything about homosexuality in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.

On the UN Treaty on the Rights of the Child:We unequivocally oppose the United States Senate's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

As much as I hate to say I agree with the Texas Republicans, there's this:

We urge review and revision of those portions of the USA Patriot Act, and related executive and military orders and directives that erode constitutional rights and essential liberties of citizens. Emergency War Powers and Martial Law Declarations - We strongly urge Congress to repeal the War Powers Act and end our declared state of emergency. Any Declaration of Martial law should be approved by Congress.

They aren't against it, they just want to look at it differently. For example, trains are part of a the socialist agenda meant to herd us all into cities where we'd have to see minorities on a daily basis, so here's what you do.

"If a privately-purchased bus, fueled by only American gas, leaves the megachurch at 11:30am, and the government-purchased bus filled with loose women and their gay friends leaves the federal office building at 11:15am going the government-mandated speed limit of 45mph. Assuming they are both equally 20 miles away, what's the average speed the bus from the megachurch will have to reach in order to beat the government bus to the abortion clinic?"

unyon:wingedkat: Why does the GOP oppose the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child?

Presumably because its a dictum from a foreign source that challenges American sovereignty and undermines parents, just like critical thinking does.

It also sets down in law that children are separate people with individual rights, and as such are not property of their parents. They also oppose it, no kidding, because they think it will outlaw homeschooling.

By the way, the US is one of only three countries in the world that hasn't ratified our signing of the treaty. We join the great bastions of freedom Sudan and Somalia in this exclusive club. Go USA!!

Chameleon:unyon: wingedkat: Why does the GOP oppose the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child?

Presumably because its a dictum from a foreign source that challenges American sovereignty and undermines parents, just like critical thinking does.

It also sets down in law that children are separate people with individual rights, and as such are not property of their parents. They also oppose it, no kidding, because they think it will outlaw homeschooling.

By the way, the US is one of only three countries in the world that hasn't ratified our signing of the treaty. We join the great bastions of freedom Sudan and Somalia in this exclusive club. Go USA!!

Well, it'll also outlaw spanking, and Republicans are all about physical abuse.

I included that part because it was in the original paragraph, but the part I was most interested in was:We urge review and revision of those portions of the USA Patriot Act, and related executive and military orders and directives that erode constitutional rights and essential liberties of citizens.

I included that part because it was in the original paragraph, but the part I was most interested in was:We urge review and revision of those portions of the USA Patriot Act, and related executive and military orders and directives that erode constitutional rights and essential liberties of citizens.

OK, I get that. It's just a really, really ridiculous thing to include and almost a non sequitor with the rest of the paragraph.

I mean, to add to what vygramul said above, there are real fundamental, Constitutional problems with the War Powers Act, but I'll bet that the Texas GOP platform committee has no clue what those problems actually are, and are just calling for the repeal of something that sounds scary.

I included that part because it was in the original paragraph, but the part I was most interested in was:We urge review and revision of those portions of the USA Patriot Act, and related executive and military orders and directives that erode constitutional rights and essential liberties of citizens.

OK, I get that. It's just a really, really ridiculous thing to include and almost a non sequitor with the rest of the paragraph.

I mean, to add to what vygramul said above, there are real fundamental, Constitutional problems with the War Powers Act, but I'll bet that the Texas GOP platform committee has no clue what those problems actually are, and are just calling for the repeal of something that sounds scary.

WTF Indeed:"If a privately-purchased bus, fueled by only American gas, leaves the megachurch at 11:30am, and the government-purchased bus filled with loose women and their gay friends leaves the federal office building at 11:15am going the government-mandated speed limit of 45mph. Assuming they are both equally 20 miles away, what's the average speed the bus from the megachurch will have to reach in order to beat the government bus to the abortion clinic?"

Assuming no lights and an instantaneous increase to each's respective velocity, I'd put it at 120mph.

It should get to its destination approximately one and a half minutes before the heathens.

I included that part because it was in the original paragraph, but the part I was most interested in was:We urge review and revision of those portions of the USA Patriot Act, and related executive and military orders and directives that erode constitutional rights and essential liberties of citizens.

OK, I get that. It's just a really, really ridiculous thing to include and almost a non sequitor with the rest of the paragraph.

I mean, to add to what vygramul said above, there are real fundamental, Constitutional problems with the War Powers Act, but I'll bet that the Texas GOP platform committee has no clue what those problems actually are, and are just calling for the repeal of something that sounds scary.

WAR POWERS, OBAMA, WHAR?

See, that would make more sense, in a kind of pant-on-head stupid kind of way.

timujin:As much as I hate to say I agree with the Texas Republicans, there's this:

We urge review and revision of those portions of the USA Patriot Act, and related executive and military orders and directives that erode constitutional rights and essential liberties of citizens. Emergency War Powers and Martial Law Declarations - We strongly urge Congress to repeal the War Powers Act and end our declared state of emergency. Any Declaration of Martial law should be approved by Congress.

We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit.

You know, I've heard lots of people use this as a reason for opposing gay rights but it seems nobody ever explains what they mean by it. How, exactly, does homosexuality contribute to the breakdown of the family unit?